Mail-chute.



Patented Feb. 23, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

en variada L. EHRLIGH.

MAIL CHUTE.

TN: NuRRls PETERS co.. WASHINGTON. n. c.

@dem K L. EHRLIGH.

MAIL CHUTE.

APPLIUATION fum 001.1. 1906.

9 1 3, 1 1 2, Patented Feb. 23, 1909.

2 BHBETS-SHEET 2.

, UNITED Sellhhl OFFICE".

LEO IBI-IRLIOII, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED STATES MAIL CHUTE EQUIP- MENT COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

MAIL-CHUTE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 28, 1909.

Application led. October l, 1906. Serial No. 336,964.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Lno EnRLicn, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Mail-nhutes, ol" which the following is a full, clear, and exact descri tion, such as will enable others skilled in libe art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of my improved mail chute. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the same. F ig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view on line Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a similar view, showing parts in changed position. Fig. 5 is a detail view of a closure for a letter' receiving aperture, and Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view illustrating a modiiied form of mail chute.

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in mail chutes, the object being to so construct the chute that access may be gained to the interior for purposes of repair. l

Another object is to provide letter receiving apertures with a closure which coo crates with a latch in such manner that t e closure is held in its closed position.

With these objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the several parts, all of which will be hereinafter described and afterwards pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, l indicates the floors of a building and 2 one of the vertical walls of said building. Secured to the vertical wall is a back plate, from which are arranged the severa parts constituting my improved chute.

4 are brackets extending from the back plate 3, said brackets supporting track rings 4. To the inner face of these rings are secured curved panels 5, held in place by counter sunk screws and rivets.

6 indicates a tube section whose ends are essentially circular so as to cooperate with the track rings 4. This tube section is composed of curved side walls 7, connected together by collar sections S. The front wall is made of glass panels 9 mounted in a suitable frame 10. In this frame 1() is an offset containing a mail-receiving aperture 11. Under this aperture is a hinged plate 12 whose free edge is provided with a recess (see Fig. 5), and cooperates with a spring latch 14. One of thc side walls 7 is provided with an eye or staple 15 (see Fig. 3), with which cooperates a hasp 16 hinged to the back plate. A padlock 17 is employed to copcrate with the eye 1.5 and to prevent removal of the hasp 16, whereby the tube section may be locked in its normal position.

Should it be desired, for any reason, to obtain access to the interior ofthe tube section, lock 17 is removed and the hasp 16 swung free of its eye, when the tube section may be rotated as shown in Fig. 4. This presents an opening throughout the length of the tube section, and which is normally closed by the panel 5 with iront or side as the case may be.

After the repairs are made the tube section may be restored to its normal position and locked in such position. Should it be desired, for any reason, to prevent mail being introduced into the aperture 11, it is only necessary to open up the tube section and lift the plate 12 so that it engages its latch, when mail-receiving aperture 1l will be closed. When it is desired to open the mailreceiving aperture the tube section may be opened so that the hinged plate may be manually released.

As shown in Figs. l and 2, there are preferably two brackets and track rings in the horizontal plane of each iloor for cooperation with the two adjacent tube sections. The space between these track rings opposite the floor is preferably closed by a cylindrical tube section 16.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a modified forni of tube section in which 17L indicates the back wall substantially straight throughout its medial portion, and having curved ends, one of which latter is provided with a flange having connection to a movable front section 18. Front section 1S has a medial flat portion in which may be introduced a pane of glass 19, and its ends are curved, one of these curved ends being provided with a Vflange having an opening or openings registering with similar openings in the ilange of the back plate and through which openings a padlock may be latched. 20 indicates a curved wall arranged concentric to the unflanged curved end of the back plate and providing a housing in which the untlanged curved end of the front wall may be telescoped when it is desired to open up the tube section to, gain access to its interior. The position of the parts When the front section is swung outwardly is illustrated in dotted lines.

I am aware that minor changes may be made in the construction, arrangement and combination of the several parts of my improved mail chute Without in the least departing from the nature and principle of my invention. n

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as 'new and desire to secure by Iletters Patent is l. A mail chute, circular track rings, a ixed panel supported by said track rings, and a tube section movably mounted on said track rings, and having an opening closed by said fixed panel.

2. A mail chute, a back plate, track rings mounted on said back plate, a panel fixed to said rings and a tube section movably mounted on said track rings and having an opening Which is normally closed by said panel.

3. In a mail chute, track rings, a curved panel secured to said track rings, a tube section consisting of curved side Walls and a front Wall, said front Wall having glass panes,

and collar bands connecting the ends of said side Walls.

Li. In a mail chute, a fixed panel and a tube tion and a rotatable portion, having an open- L ing normally closed by said fixed portion, said rotatable portion being arranged in overlapping engagement with said iiXed portion.

8. A mail chute consisting of a fixed portion and a rotatable portion, having telescopic connection With said fixed portion.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature inthe presence of tWo Witnesses, this twentyseventh day of September 1906.

LEO EIIRLICII. lllitnesses IinNoRn WILSON, GEORGE BAKEWELL. 

